"Fair and Square" block

The block for April/May 2006 is the "Fair and Square" block


Instructions:  Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Each finished block measures 7 inches square.  (7 ½ X 7 ½ inches unfinished)

 
1.          cut blue squares & triangles
  
2.           cut pink triangles
3.           cut green triangles

4.       cut white rectangles


5.           piece pink/blue HST squares

6.           piece pink/green HST squares

7.            assemble center square


8.       assemble finished block



9.           finished block
          
Select a white-on-white background fabric and three "spring-colored" pastel prints (yellow, pink, peach, mauve, light blue, light green, etc.) 



Cutting instructions:

    1.   From the first pastel fabric, cut four 3-inch squares and one 3 3/8-inch square.  Cut the larger square from one corner to the opposite corner to make two triangles.

    2.   From the second pastel fabric, cut two 3 3/8-inch squares. Cut the squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles.

    3.   From the third pastel fabric, cut one 3 3/8-inch square.  Again, cut the square from one corner to the opposite corner to make two triangles.

4.   From the white background fabric, cut four 3 x 5 1/2-inch rectangles. 




Piecing instructions:
5.   With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the pastel #1 triangles to one of the pastel #2 triangles along the long edges edge.  Press toward the pastel #2 side.  You will end up with two HST (Half-Square Triangle) squares.  Refer to graphic 5.


6.  With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the pastel #3 triangles to one of the pastel #2 triangles along the long edges edge.  Press toward the pastel #2 side.  You will end up with two HST (Half-Square Triangle) squares.  Refer to graphic 6.

7.  Referring to graphic 7 for positioning, piece together the center square.  First sew one of the squares from step #5 to one of the squares from step #6.  Repeat with the other two HST squares.  Press to the darker side.  Then sew these two rows together into a square.  Pin at the intersection to ensure the points match as closely as possible.  Press.


    




Assembly instructions:

     
8.   Finally, referring to the layout in graphic 8 & 9, piece the final block together.  Sew the rows together first, then combine the rows to finish the block.  Remember to pin at the intersection to ensure sharp points.


Your completed unfinished block will measure 10 ½ inches.
10 inches after sewn into a quilt!

 

Happy Spring everyone!! 

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